Gentoo Linux/MIPS HandbookDaniel RobbinsSven VermeulenChris HouserJerry AlexandratosSeemant KulleenTavis OrmandyAron GriffisBrad HouseGuy MartinPieter Van den AbeeleJoe KallarJohn P. DavisPierre-Henri JondotEric StockbridgeRajiv ManglaniJungmin SeoStoyan ZhekovJared HudsonColin MoreyJorge PauloCarl AndersonJon PortnoyZack GilburdJack MorganBenny ChuangErwinJoshua KinardGrant GoodyearGerald J. Normandin Jr.Donnie BerkholzKen NowackLars Weiler
This is the Gentoo Handbook, an effort to centralise Gentoo/Linux
information.
2.33July 18, 2004Installing Gentoo
In this part you learn how to install Gentoo on your system.
About the Gentoo Linux Installation
Users not familiar with Gentoo do not always know that choice is what
Gentoo is all about.
Choosing the Right Installation Medium
You can install Gentoo in many ways. In this chapter we explain how to install
Gentoo using the MIPS Netboot images.
Configuring your Network
If you want to install Gentoo using the Internet, you need to setup
networking.
Preparing the Disks
To be able to install Gentoo, you must create the necessary partitions.
This chapter describes how to partition a disk for future usage.
Installing the Gentoo Installation Files
Gentoo installs work through so-called stage-files. In this chapter we
describe how you extract a stage-file and configure Portage.
Installing the Gentoo Base System
Independent of what stage you chose, the eventual result is that you
have a Gentoo base system at your disposal. This chapter describes how
to progress to that stadium.
Configuring the Kernel
The Linux kernel is the core of every distribution. This chapter
explains how to configure your kernel.
Configuring your System
You need to edit some important configuration files. In this chapter
you receive an overview of these files and an explanation on how to
proceed.
Configuring the Bootloader
MIPS doesn't really have a bootloader, but the MIPS PROM is used to boot kernels
instead. This chapter explains how to install your Linux kernel as a PROM boot
option.
Installing Necessary System Tools
As mentioned before, Gentoo is about choices. In this chapter we help you
choose and install some important tools.
Finalizing your Gentoo Installation
You're almost done. We'll just create one (or more) users for your
system and leave the installation to reboot into a brand new Gentoo
system.
Where to go from here?
Now you have your Gentoo system, but what's next?
Working with Gentoo
Learn how to work with Gentoo: installing software, altering variables, changing
portage behaviour etc.
USE flags
USE-flags are a very important aspect of Gentoo. In this chapter, you learn to
work with USE-flags and understand how USE-flags interact with your system.
Portage and Software
The main reason for portage is to maintain the software on your system. In this
chapter you learn how to get information from a package, update your package
database, install/remove/update software and more...
Portage Features
Gentoo's Portage allows for several features that improve portage-related
aspects, such as build time. This chapter explains the existing features.
Controlling Portage Behaviour
You can tweak Portage to your own needs/environment. Learn how to protect files,
select mirrors, change directory locations and more.
Initscripts
Gentoo uses a special initscript format which, amongst other features, allows
dependency-driven decisions and virtual initscripts. This chapter explains all
these aspects and explains how to deal with these scripts.
Environment Variables
With Gentoo you can easily manage the environment variables for your system.
This chapter explains how you do that, and also describes frequently used
variables.